Mark Harrison’s height stands out in Chiefs’ wide receiver battle

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mark Harrison, a 6-foot-3 and 230-pound wideout from Rutgers, has used his size and strength to outleap defensive backs along the sideline several times and has shown an ability to snare passes in traffic during the Chiefs’ padded practices.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mark Harrison (22) broke free for a pass route on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
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Mark Harrison is the biggest and tallest receiver on the Chiefs’ training camp roster.

Harrison — a 6-foot-3, 230-pound wideout from Rutgers who spent last season on the New England Patriots’ reserve/non-football injury list — also has shown flashes of playmaking potential down the field for an offense that could use more of a vertical threat.

“I’ve known Mark since high school because we’re both from Connecticut, so we competed and stuff like that,” said cornerback Marcus Cooper, who also played with Harrison at Rutgers. “He’s a freak. He’s got that big body, but he’s got a lot of speed too. He’s definitely a guy with a special kind of talent.”

Harrison has used that size and strength several times to outleap defensive backs along the sideline, and also has shown an ability to snare passes in traffic during the Chiefs’ padded practices.

“That’s the only way you’re going to make the team is making plays, being aggressive with the ball and having that knack to go up and get it,” Harrison said. “You’ve got to be able to concentrate and lock in on every play out there.”

Of course, wide receiver is arguably the most competitive position group at Chiefs training camp, so earning a spot on the 53-man roster won’t be easy for Harrison.

Harrison originally signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2013 before landing with the Patriots, who cut him in June when he was late for offseason training.

He’s hoping to make the most of this new opportunity.

“I’m definitely excited about the progress that’s been going on and the development of my game,” Harrison said. “I’m never satisfied, though. There’s always room for improvement day-by-day, learning the system and getting comfortable with yourself out there and being confident.”

Harrison said he’s paying close attention to and taking cues from veterans Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery, players he considers the leaders of the wide-receiver group.

He also feels an added degree of comfort with Cooper’s presence in camp, along with another former Scarlet Knight, cornerback Brandon Jones.

“It’s a good feeling to be out there with guys you know, guys you can go in the locker room and give them a little nudge if you go up top on them or they pick you,” Harrison said. “It makes it fun.”

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) smiled at the end of practice on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) caught tennis balls shot out of a machine after practice on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) caught a pass during drills on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Chris Owens (20) caught a pass during drills on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Husain Abdullah (39) worked in drills on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) defended a pass attempt to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver A.J. Jenkins (15) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) ran after a catch on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) rushed into the offensive backfield on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nico Johnson (57) battled with Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Ricky Henry (65) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the team's offensive unit on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mark Harrison (22) broke free for a pass route on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back De'Anthony Thomas (1) fielded punts on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Jerron McMillian (34) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive linesman Jeff Allen (71) caught a ride on a golf cart up the hill to the locker room on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Joe Mays (53) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) caught tennis balls shot out of a machine after practice on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) caught a pass during drills on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Chris Owens (20) caught a pass during drills on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Husain Abdullah (39) worked in drills on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson spoke to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) threw a screen pass to Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) caught a pass on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, left, and quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy, center, spoke to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Aaron Murray (7) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Frankie Hammond (85) caught a pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Husain Abdullah (39) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) tried to slow down Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker (38) pressed Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mark Harrison (22) at the line of scrimmage on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Fred Williams (83) caught a long pass on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nico Johnson (57) pursued during an offensive play on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nico Johnson (57) hit Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Frankie Hammond (85) hard on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (47) ran from the tackle attempt of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Cooper (31) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) tackled Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Frankie Hammond (85) on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Joe Mays (53) pursued the offense on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) threw a pass on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) ran after a catch on Monday morning during Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
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